Next Wednesday night, Orlando City will travel up to Jacksonville to play their opening match of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Taking on the NASL’s Jacksonville Armada FC, the Lions will look to improve upon their already stealer Open Cup record for such a relatively new team, which includes two quarterfinal appearances in the last three years.
But a lot of fans may shrug off this game, thinking it’s an easy win for the purple and gold. While it’s true that the MLS has dominated play since it began, upsets do happen and the team is hoping fans pile into the stadium to support their squad. The tournament as a whole is also very important, and fans should be just as invested in it as they are in the MLS season.
Here are five reasons (in no particular order) YOU should care about the U.S. Open Cup:
1) Rematch in Jacksonville
Yes, it was the preseason, but the Armada still handed Orlando City a 2-1 loss. With something actually on the line this time around, the Lions will aim to return home to Orlando with a pass to the Round of 16.
2) Showcase for Florida Soccer
No matter the outcome, Wednesday’s match will be a chance for two professional soccer teams in Florida to clash and show the professional soccer community that the state is nurturing some of the best talent in the country – if not the world.
3) CONCACAF Champions League Berth
While the ideal way of qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League would be winning the MLS Cup, the winner of the U.S. Open Cup also automatically qualifies for the group stage of North America’s biggest club soccer tournament.
4) $250,000
The U.S. Open Cup champion receives $250,000. Nuff said.
5) The Tradition
The U.S. Open Cup was first played as the “National Challenge Cup” in 1914, as has been played continually ever since. This year, the 103rd edition will be held, making it the world’s third-longest-running open soccer tournament. Through war and national tragedy, the competition has carried on. To join the list of champions after only a few years of play would be such an incredible achievement for Orlando City.
